Container with retaining member

ABSTRACT

Containers a retaining member disposed within the container which substantially obstructs the opening of the container are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the member enlarges to receive a dispensing instrument that is used to cap the container.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates a container, in particular, a containerparticularly well suited for dispensing medications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many containers are known for delivering prescription medications. Thesecontainers are typically made from an appropriate polymer or glassmaterial. Depending on the physical state of the medication to bedispensed, i.e., solid or liquid, the container contains appropriatesafeguards against tampering, and child-resistant opening mechanismswhich prevent child access to the contents of the container.

Also contained in many containers for dispensing medications to childrenare dispensing instruments such as droppers. The dispensing instrumentsare immersed in the liquid contained in the container and the medicationis drawn up into the dispensing instrument and dispensed to the child.These containers and dispensing instruments combinations frequentlycontain child resistant opening means, such as containers that requirethe squeezing of the cap or alignment of arrows or tabs. Others haveattempted to restrict access to the contents of the container by ahinged mechanism, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,132,334. Howevercertain pharmaceutical compositions are viscous and sticky which aftermultiple applications renders the hinged element inoperative. However ifthe cap is improperly reapplied or not attached there is the potentialfor a child to overdose on the contents of the container. In addition,people frequently fail to read and follow directions such that insteadof using the appropriate dispensing instrument, such as a dropper, animproper dispensing instrument such as a teaspoon, cup etc. would beused to provide a dosage to a patient, which might cause an overdosesituation.

It would be highly desirable that the container be designed to preventthe overdosing of a patient. Preferably the container would alsofacilitate the use of the proper dosage means, preferably byconveniently incorporating and storing the dosing means with thepackage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first embodiment, the invention comprises a container for holdingliquids, said container having an opening, and a retaining member whichsubstantially obstructs said opening of said container, said retainingmember integrally including a biased passageway which enlarges toreceive a dispensing instrument, and closes after removal of dispensinginstrument.

Another embodiment of the invention provides a combination comprising acontainer for holding liquids, a dispensing instrument, a retainingmember such that it substantially obstructs said opening of saidcontainer, said member including a biased passageway which enlarges toreceive said dispensing instrument, and closes after removal of saiddispensing instrument, and a liquid containing a pharmaceutically activeingredient.

These and other embodiments of the invention will become apparent whenreviewing the drawings and specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention together with the above and other objects may best beunderstood from a consideration of the following detailed description ofan illustrative embodiment in the course of which reference is made tothe accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the container and member disposed withincontainer and the dispensing means.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof the container, retainingmember disposed within the container and dispensing instrument removedfrom the container.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the container, retainingmember disposed in the container and the dispensing instrument.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the container, memberdisposed in the container and dispensing means with the bulb on saiddispensing instrument depressed.

FIG. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the dispensing meansremoved from the container and the retaining member disposed within thecontainer is in the closed position.

FIG. 6 is a side view in partial section showing the container andretaining member within the container in a tilted position.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the prior art container in a tilted position.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of theretaining member in the container.

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the alternative embodiment depicted inFIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1 an embodiment of the present invention is providedwith the container 10, the dispensing instrument 20 and the retainingmember 30 depicted. The dispensing instrument is threaded onto the topof the container so as to close the container and prevent the liquidfrom escaping. As can be seen in this figure, the dispensing instrumentpasses through the retaining member, radially expanding the petals ofthe retaining member.

FIG. 2 depicts the same elements in an exploded perspective view. Thethreads on the container 11 are now visible. The retaining member 30 isnow in a closed position, the petals 33 are biased so that upon theremoval of the dispensing instrument 20 the retaining member closes,substantially preventing the removal of liquid from the container.

FIG. 3 provides a cross-sectional view of the combination of elements ina preferred embodiment as a consumer would first purchase the article.The container 10, dispensing instrument and retaining member are allvisible as well as the initial liquid level 40 in the container. Notethat the retaining member is contained within the neck 45 (substantiallyvertical area) and shoulder 46 (radius of curvature) of the containerthereby allowing any liquid to drain from the retaining member. The baseor wide portion of the retaining member is adjacent to the exit of thecontainer, while the narrow end of the retaining member is closer to theliquid level of the container. The liquid level of the container asinitially filled is below the lowest point of the retaining member 30.The individual petals 33 of the retaining member 30 are also visible.

FIG. 4 depicts the bulb 21 on the dispensing instrument being depressedthereby drawing liquid from the container into the dispensinginstrument. As is apparent from the figure the liquid level in thedispensing instrument is above the liquid level of the container. A clip12 on the retaining member 30 holds the retaining member in place in thepassageway of the container. Alternative embodiments of holding theretaining member in place include a shoulder in which the retainingmember is placed, adhesives, joining the containing and retaining memberby heat or other energy sources. Alternatively, since the retainingmember is made of a resilient material the retaining member can be heldin place by compressive forces.

FIG. 5 displays the dispensing instrument removed from the container.The dispensing instrument contains the liquid within the container.Residual liquid adhering to the outer surface of the dispensinginstrument is removed by the compressive forces of the retaining memberupon the dispensing instrument. The retaining member is comprised ofresilient material with sufficient resiliency and memory to close uponthe dispensing instrument as it is been inserted and withdrawn. Thesecompressive forces remove liquid from the outside of the dispensinginstrument upon the withdrawal of the dispensing instrument from thecontainer and allow any volumetric graduations on the dispensinginstrument to be read.

The threads on the radial edges of the dispensing instrument 14 are alsovisible. The compliant engaging threads on the container are visible 11.While the retaining member is closed, any excess liquid drains from theopening of the retaining member.

FIG. 6 depicts the principle advantage of the present invention, therestriction of the flow of liquid from the container. The retainingmember substantially prevents the flow of liquid from the container whenthe dispensing instrument is not used. The prior art bottle is depictedin FIG. 7 which allows unlimited ability to pour the contents of thecontainer into an unsuitable dispensing instrument.

This problem of using the wrong dispensing agent and overdosing thepatient is not limited to children who access the contents of thecontainer, but also to adults who fail to read and follow labelinstructions. It is possible that a parent could assume that he or sheknows the proper dosage and does not follow the label's instructions.The present invention makes it very difficult, if not impossible, tohave a substantial amount of liquid to be dispensed without using theproper dispensing instrument. Furthermore, the difficulty of dispensingthe liquid from the container without using the proper dispensing agentprovides motivation to a parent to review the label directions to learnthe proper dosage.

FIGS. 8 and 9 depict an alternative embodiment of the retaining memberof the present invention. The slits in the retaining member are providedin a more circular fashion than in the other retaining members providedin the previous figures. The slits while more circular, the slits arenot axially provided around the retaining member.

The container of the present invention is not limited by the materialsof construction. Suitable materials include glass, polymeric materialssuch as polyethylene, including low density, linear low density and highdensity; polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, copolymers of thesematerials, combinations of these materials and the like. Most preferredare containers are made from polyethylene and glass.

The retaining member is made of a resilient material such aspolyethylene, including low density, high density and linear lowdensity; polypropylene, elastomeric materials including rubbers such assilicone rubber, polyethylene terephthlate, copolymers, combinations ofthese materials and the like. Most preferably the retaining member ismade from low density polyethylene. It is important for the retainingmember to be resilient to return to a closed position, i.e., a positionin which the retaining member substantially prevents the liquid frombeing dispersed after the dispensing instrument is withdrawn. A furtheradvantage of the resilient retaining member is that it can be used as astand or resting spot for the dispensing instrument. The retainingmember is preferably sufficiently resilient to hold the dispensinginstrument and dosage in an upright position within the retaining memberwithout the need for the dispensing instrument to extend through theretaining member. In other words, the retaining member is sufficientlystrong to act as a cup or dish for the dispensing instrument. Thisallows a parent to draw the proper dosage into the dispensing means,then place it into the retaining member while preparing a child fordosing, while still being able to see the dosage in the dispensinginstrument.

The dispensing instrument is made of materials similar to the container.Once again the preferred material is polyethylene. The dispensinginstrument, is preferably an elongated hollow device, that is a memberwith a length greater than its width. The top of the dispensinginstrument has a bulb, preferably made from a elastomeric material,attached to it such that when pressure is applied to the bulb itdeforms. The deformation creates a vacuum effect which draws the liquidup into the hollow annular space. Preferably the dispensing instrumentcontains graduated markings to aid in determining the volume of fluidcontained in the annular chamber. Dispensing instrument is a generalterm to describe any device used to transfer liquid from the containerto a body part, for example mouth, nose, ear, eye and the like. The termis not limited in size and it also includes devices with tubes, barrels,cylinders, pipettes. It also includes all manners of drawing liquidsinto the dispensing instrument including squeeze bulbs, vacuum pumps,and mouth suction. It also includes all manner of expelling liquids fromthe dispensing instrument including gravity, squeeze of the bulb, forcedair, and mouth blowing.

In a highly preferred embodiment of the invention the dispensinginstrument is integrated into a cap for the container. The dispensinginstrument contains threads or other suitable means which are compliantwith the container to join the dispensing instrument/cap and thecontainer. Alternative embodiments of the invention include a dispensinginstrument which is not included in the cap, but is provided separately,for example, provided along the side of the container.

In a highly preferred embodiment of the invention the threadeddispensing means provide child resistant safety features. These featuresare well known to those with skill in the art. Suitable examples aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,795,338 and 3,857,505, the contents ofwhich are incorporated by reference in their entirety. These patents andother similar embodiments known to those with skill in the art requirepressure to engage projections extending upwardly from the walls of thecontainer. In the absence of sufficient pressure the cap will ratchetover the projections, and not permit the cap to open. Other childresistant caps require pressure to be applied to the top or side of thecap in order to engage the projections to open the cap.

The present invention can be used to dispense any liquids, includingsolutions, dispersions and suspensions. Suitable pharmaceuticallyacceptable dispersants and suspending agents are well known in the art,see for example, Remington Pharmaceutical Sciences, 15^(th) Edition.Techniques for making such suspensions and dispersions are known tothose with skill in the art, see for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,272,137;5,374,659; 5,409,907; 5,621,005; and 5,658,919; the contents of whichare incorporated by reference.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the liquids provided in thecontainer are viscous. The more viscous fluids are substantially unableto be removed from the container because of the retaining member. Atmost, only a small amount of liquid can be removed without thedispensing instrument. This provides a disincentive for the personattempting to remove fluid from the container to do so without the useof the appropriate dispensing means. Preferably the viscosity of thefluid containing the pharmaceutically active agent is from about 100 toabout 3000 centipoise; more preferably from 300 about to about 2000centipoise; and most preferably from about 500 to about 1600 centipoise.Even though these liquids are viscous the present invention allows theliquid in the container to drain from the retaining member when thedispensing instrument is withdrawn. As used herein, centipoise ismeasured after four minutes at a speed of 12 revolutions per minuteusing a Brookfield viscometer using a small (10 centimeters³)sample cup,and a #3 spindle at room temperature (approximately 23° C.).

The design of the retaining means is specifically designed for viscousand sticky liquids. The liquids most preferably used in the presentinvention are infants' and children's cold remedies. Such remedies aretypically very concentrated so that smaller volumes need to be deliveredto the patient. The viscosity is such that the retaining means areprovided with slits that are more than 50% of the longitudinal axis ofthe retaining means, preferably greater than 60% and most preferablymore than 75% of the length of the retaining member (longitudinal axis),see FIG. 8. This allows any liquid which comes into contact with theretaining means to readily drain back into the container. If the liquidwas unable to drain, there is a possibility of the retaining memberbeing difficult to open or the possibly being left in the open positionwhich would allow the liquid to be dispensed without the appropriatedispensing means.

The retaining means are provided with slits that allow the radialopening of the retaining member to a diameter of a predetermined valuerelative to the diameter of the dispensing instrument. The maximumradial opening of the retaining member is between about 1 and about 10%larger than the diameter of the dispensing instrument, preferablybetween about 2 and about 8 and most preferably between about 4 andabout 6% larger than the diameter of the dispensing instrument. Thiscontrolled radial opening allows residual liquid to readily drain backinto the container while providing adequate removal of excess liquidform the dispensing instrument and allowing the retaining member tosufficiently re-close.

Another advantage of the slitted design is to minimize the stresses inthe petals. The petals are understood to be the individual elementswithin the retaining means which open and close with the insertion andwithdrawal of the dispensing means. The present invention employs aplurality of petals, at least 5 petals, most preferably 8 petals. Theincreased number of petals improves the memory of the retaining means,that is the ability of the retaining means to retain its desired shapeafter repeated uses. The plurality of petals also improves the abilityof the retaining member to remove any liquid from the side of thedispensing instrument, thereby making it easier to read and dispense theproper amount of liquid to the patient.

Another preferred embodiment of the retaining means is the length todiameter ratio. As stated above, the present invention is particularlywell suited for use with infants' and children's viscous and stickyformulations. The length to diameter (L/D) ratio is generally less thanabout 3.5, typically from about 0.6 to about 3.0 and preferably fromabout 0.5 to about 1.2. In a most preferred embodiment the L/D ratio isabout 1. The diameter is measured at the top of the conical portion ofthe retaining member, closest to the exit of the container. The interiorand exterior diameters are understood to be substantially equal sincethe thickness of the retaining member is considered negligible. Thepreferred diameter is from about 1 to about 2 centimeters, preferablyabout 1.5 cm. The length is understood to be measured from the conicalsection to the tip of the petals when in the closed position. The lengthof the retaining member is preferably from about 1.25 to about 3 cm,most preferably about 2 cm. As used herein, the retaining member in theclosed position is understood as not having a dispensing instrumentinserted through the retaining member. See FIG. 8 for a depiction of therelative length to diameter. The low L/D ratio is an important advantagein that the retaining member is not immersed in the liquid for extendedperiods of time. In a highly preferred embodiment the retaining memberis positioned above the normal liquid level of the container, preferablyin neck region of the container, allowing excess liquid to drain fromthe retaining member back into the container, see FIG. 3, area denoted45.

The present invention may be used to deliver many active medicamentsthat are well known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,929,508 provides asuitable list of such medicaments and the relevant portions of thepatent are hereby incorporated by reference. The form of the medicamentsare not critical in the invention so long as they may be incorporatedinto a liquid. The original form of the pharmaceutically activeingredient before incorporation into the liquid may be solids, liquids,powders, pellets and the like.

Especially preferred medicaments to be delivered by the presentinvention include ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, pseudoephedrine,pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, chlorpheniramine maleate,dextromethorphan hydrobromide, diphenhydramine, loratadine,phenylpropanolamine and diphenydramine hydrochloride.

Commonly known pharmaceutically acceptable additives fororally-administered drugs such as sweeteners, colorings, flavoringagents, buffering agents and the like may be included in theformulations. Suitable sweeteners include sugar, sorbitol, saccharin,mannitol, glucose, aspartame and the like. Flavoring agents includepeppermint, spearmint cinnamon, bubble gum, vanilla and the like.

The present invention has been described and illustrated by theassociated figures. Alternative embodiments are readily apparent tothose with skill in the art without departing from the scope of thepresent invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A combination comprising a container for holdingliquids, said container having an initial liquid level, a dispensinginstrument, a retaining member such that it substantially obstructs saidopening of said container, said member including a biased passagewaywhich enlarges to receive said dispensing instrument, and closes afterremoval of said dispensing instrument, said member further beingpositioned above the initial liquid level in said container, and aliquid containing a pharmaceutically active ingredient, wherein thepharmaceutically active ingredient is selected from the group containingibuprofen, acetaminophen and psuedoephedrine, wherein the passageway ofthe retaining member expands radially to accept the dispensinginstrument.
 2. A combination comprising a container for holding liquids,said container having an initial liquid level, a dispensing instrument,a retaining member such that it substantially obstructs said opening ofsaid container, said member including a biased passageway which enlargesto receive said dispensing instrument, and closes after removal of saiddispensing instrument, said member further being positioned above theinitial liquid level in said container, and a liquid containing apharmaceutically active ingredient, wherein the pharmaceutically activeingredient is selected from the group containing ibuprofen,acetaminophen and psuedoephedrine, wherein the retaining member isresilient and has a slitted retaining wall.
 3. The container of claim 2wherein the slitted retaining wall is conical.
 4. The container of claim2 wherein the slitted retaining wall comprises a plurality of petals. 5.The container of claim 4 wherein the slits in the petals arelongitudinally oriented.
 6. The container for holding liquidscomprising: a) a neck having an opening therein; b) a shoulder integralwith said neck; c) a retaining member which substantially obstructs saidopening, said retaining member including a biased passageway capable ofreceiving a dispensing instrument and closing after removal of adispensing instrument; said retaining member is positioned substantiallywithin the neck and the shoulder of the container, wherein the retainingmember is resilient with a slitted conical retaining wall which closesafter removal of the dispensing instrument.
 7. The container of claim 6wherein the passageway of the retaining member expands radially toaccept a dispensing instrument inserted therein.
 8. A container forholding liquids comprising: a) a neck having an opening therein; b) ashoulder integral with said neck; c) a retaining member whichsubstantially obstructs said opening, said retaining member including abiased passageway capable of receiving a dispensing instrument andclosing after removal of a dispensing instrument; said retaining memberis positioned substantially within the neck and the shoulder of thecontainer, wherein the retaining member is resilient and has a slittedretaining wall.
 9. The container of claim 8, wherein the slittedretaining wall is conical.
 10. The container of claim 8, wherein theslitted retaining wall comprises a plurality of petals.
 11. Thecontainer of claim 10 wherein the slits in the petals are longitudinallyoriented.